What is the best dental office near me? This may seem like an easy question to answer, but the fact of the matter is that there are many factors involved in answering it, and you need to understand all of them before making a decision that could have long-lasting consequences on your oral health. You see, best doesn’t just mean most affordable; it also needs to take into account things like proximity, hours of operation, location, and even reputation among other factors.
Know how to start
According to recent studies, people tend to visit dentists less often when they are happy with their dental situation. Therefore, if you want to visit a dentist regularly, you should make sure that your oral health is in good condition at all times. And while visiting a dentist might seem like a big task sometimes, it can be easily dealt with. Here are some steps you can take in order to find a great dental office nearby: How To Find The Best Dental Office In Your Place
Consider what you need
Finding a dentist you trust can be hard when you’re new to an area. Make sure to ask your friends and family for recommendations. If possible, find out if they have dental insurance plans that take effect right away or if they can recommend a good dentist in case you need one fast. A quick Internet search will also help you make short work of finding nearby dentists who specialize in general health or in orthodontics and other specialties. But be sure to check their backgrounds thoroughly, as some businesses provide substandard service at astronomical prices—which is not what you want from a local dentist.
Seek good reviews and referrals
If you’re looking for a dentist in your area, ask friends and family members if they can recommend one. These individuals have likely been to a few dentists over their lifetimes, so they should be able to give you an idea of what to look for. Make sure to ask questions about cost and comfort levels—some people don’t mind paying more while others want to save as much money as possible. Regardless of what others say, though, make sure that you do your own research and decide on your own terms whether or not a dental office is right for you. Good reviews and referrals are definitely helpful, but it’s important not to base too much on someone else’s opinion.
Ask around
Ask your friends and colleagues for their recommendations. Word of mouth, even from people you don’t know well, can be a great way to identify high-quality dental offices in your area. You can also ask online (your phone/laptop has all kinds of apps for finding local businesses). Try Yelp or Citysearch; both have reviews from people who’ve used services like dentists or restaurants. And if you want advice from a professional, try searching for dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon on Google to see what types of reviews come up and what they recommend.
Look for special offers
If you want to find a high-quality dentist, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for special offers. For example, many dental offices offer free exams or deeply discounted cleanings when you sign up for a patient portal account. If your regular dentist doesn’t advertise these deals, ask if they can offer one; some dentists have signed up with online dental service companies that provide them with exclusive coupons for new patients. And even if your dentist isn’t part of such a program, don’t be afraid to ask about them—you might get lucky and get in on a great deal that just hasn’t been advertised yet!
Check on costs and insurance coverage
The first step when looking for a new dentist is to check your insurance coverage and find out what your co-pay will be. This can help you narrow down which dental offices you choose to visit, as those with cheaper co-pays might be more attractive. Before visiting a new dental office, it’s a good idea to call ahead and find out about costs for procedures—that way you can set aside enough money in advance to pay for treatment if needed. Be sure to also check on whether or not there are any hidden fees that might raise your bill later.
Remember that first impressions matter
Finding a new dentist can be an overwhelming process, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Before you jump in and schedule your first appointment, arm yourself with some questions so that you can find an office that truly fits your needs. That way, when it comes time to meet your new dentist, you’ll have a better idea of how you want your oral care experience to be. For example
Choose an easy commute location
If you’re going to visit a dentist, you should try to find one as close to your home or work as possible. Not only will it make scheduling much easier, but having an easy commute can help keep stress levels down and prevent accidents from happening. You don’t want to spend extra time in your car or on public transportation if you can avoid it. It might seem like a small thing, but cutting down on time spent in traffic can have real mental health benefits. If you have any anxiety about what could happen during your appointment, for example, spending less time driving around town before hand could do wonders for helping ease your nerves.
Look at dentists’ bios, experience, education and awards, etc.
By looking at dentist bios you can get a feel for each dentist’s experience and education. Any awards or honors bestowed upon a dental professional—even awards from outside of dentistry, like an award for community service—is also good to know. The more reputable and educated a dentist is, generally speaking, the better your dental experience will be. In addition to checking out how many years of experience a certain dentist has had (generally speaking, you should choose someone with 5+ years), it’s also important to check where they went to school and what their qualifications are. You can also consider specialty.
